Atletico Madrid flash title-threatening form as Jackson Martinez shows quality

Atletico Madrid maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season as goals from Koke, Gabi and Jackson Martinez handed them an impressive 3-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday.

The visitors had the better of the opening period and deservedly went in front when Koke slotted home after good work from Antoine Griezmann.

Sevilla were beaten at home only once last season and threw everything at the Atletico goal after the break but couldn’t find a way through before Gabi’s deflected effort 12 minutes from time made the points safe.

And substitute Martinez put the seal on a huge win for Diego Simeone’s men with a fine curling effort to register his first goal for the club.

Sevilla handed a debut to Fernando Llorente after he completed his switch from Juventus on Thursday and it was the hosts who started brightest as Coke forced Jan Oblak into a smart save after just three minutes.

Atletico slowly grew into the game to take control of the first-half and were nearly handed a fortunate opener when Griezmann’s free-kick struck Fernando Torres and flew inches wide with Sevilla keeper Beto wrong-footed.

Beto was then forced into action for the first time as he parried Oliver’s fierce effort, but there was nothing he could do as Koke pounced from close range after being played in by a prone Griezmann.

Sevilla eventually carved out a chance to equalise after the break when Diego Godin only half-cleared a cross from the left, but Llorente missed the chance to make himself an instant hero as he pulled his shot wide.

Atletico then doubled their advantage against the run of play when Gabi’s hopeful shot from range took a big deflection on its way into the bottom corner.

Martinez had replaced Torres seconds before the second goal and made his case to start against Barcelona next time out with a skillful finish from outside the box to open his account after a summer move from FC Porto.

Elsewhere, Valencia are still looking for their first win of the league season after being held 1-1 at home by Deportivo la Coruna.

Lucas Perez put the visitors in front with a fine individual effort before Alvaro Negredo levelled for Valencia just before the break.

Basque minnows Eibar also maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a 2-0 win over local rivals Athletic Bilbao to go joint top with Celta Vigo.

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